Chief conservator of forest-cum-field director PTR MP Singh has begun initiative to increase the water potency of the water bodies in the PTR.
This field director PTR is not roping in any water scientist for this. He has convened a meeting of farmers and labourers who live in the contiguity of National Park Betla on Sunday September 25 to find out what the rural people with their thumb rule water management suggest for the retention and detention of rain water in the PTR which is prone to getting dry in acute summer.
MP Singh told The Pioneer that the villagers will share their experience and expertise with us on water management in Betla on Sunday. It is because these people know better as to from where the rain water flows down and where does it run off. Officials hardly have such knowledge of water retention'.
Sources said this exercise of Singh is the first of its kind here when ordinary people will enlighten the officials on surface water management.
Field director further said, “We have water bodies in PTR. Our concern is to increase its capacity for detention of water. Its water storage capacity can be enhanced 10 to 25 per cent if one knows the status of the catchment areas and other natural resources'.
He said, “This meeting with the rural people is to assure them that the PTR will survive and prosper only when the villagers will lend a helping hand towards it.